Used car guide

2005 Alfa Romeo 156 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Alfa Romeo 156 first registered in 2005 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 242 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 242 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

242MOTs of 2005 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
54%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 57%)
7,000typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for exhaust system

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2005 Alfa Romeo 156 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2005 Alfa Romeo 156 diesel than on all cars registered in 2005.

  • Exhaust system2.1× usual
    Alfa Romeo 156
    19.4% All 2005 cars
    9.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 2.6% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

Common 2005 Alfa Romeo 156 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2005 Alfa Romeo 156 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    58% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    45% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Brakes
    33% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    31% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    25% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    23% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2005 Alfa Romeo 156 diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2005 Alfa Romeo 156 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at an Alfa Romeo 156?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Alfa Romeo 156 compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2007–Too few tests
2006–Too few tests
2004600Suspension 40%
2003704Suspension 37%
2002545Suspension 35%
2001426Suspension 41%
2000305Suspension 39%
1999202Suspension 40%
1998148Suspension 41%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Alfa Romeo 156 cars first registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score